Modular shipping and storage units

ABSTRACT

A modular and expandable device for multiple stacking of sheet metal rooftop air conditioning units or other units having a structure of such integrity as to resist moment loadings as occur in handling, storing and shipping of said units. This device may be used for stacking any standardized rigid container which is used for housing and/or storing and shipping. The modular devices consist of a support column with sloping ram portion to guide the upper stored unit onto a support foot, a plurality of ear members on both sides of the columnar device and one brace member associated with each columnar device which may be switched to either side ear member of the columnar device to form either a right- or left-hand member. When two or more columnar devices are operated in conjunction with each other these braces are connected from the top of one columnar device to the bottom of the other columnar device to provide cross braces between the columnar devices.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Therian E. Austin 646 W. Walnut Ave.,El Segundo, Calif. 90245 [21 Appl No. 843,999

[22] Filed July 23, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [54] MODULARSHIPPING AND STORAGE UNITS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,733,728 10/1929 Fullerton 294/67(.4) 214/ 10.5

3,231,103 1/1966 Tantunger Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza AssistantExaminer-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Lyon & Lyon ABSTRACT: A modular andexpandable device for multiple stacking of sheet metal rooftop airconditioning units or other units having a structure of such integrityas to resist moment loadings as occur in handling, storing and shippingof said units. This device may be used for stacking any standardizedrigid container which is used for housing and/or storing and shipping.The modular devices consist of a support column with sloping ram portionto guide the upper stored unit onto a support foot, a plurality of earmembers on both sides of the columnar device and one brace memberassociated with each columnar device which may be switched to eitherside ear member of the columnar device to form either a rightor lefthandmember. When two or more columnar devices are operated in conjunctionwith each other these braces are connected from the top of one columnardevice to the bottom of the other columnar device to provide crossbraces between the columnar devices.

Patented April 20, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l MODULAR SHIPPING AND STORAGEUNITS OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the presentinvention isto provide shipping and storage devices which are light inweight, yet can support at least two heavy large units.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide shippingstorage devices which may be easily disassembled and returned for reuse.

A further object of the present invention is to provide shipping andstorage devices which are in themselves easily transported and stored.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reading the ensuing description together with theaccompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one of themodular shipping and storage devices which are used to support the unitsto be stored.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation taken through lines 2-2 of FIG. 3illustrating top supporting member and guide ramp.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation illustrating a combination of two modulardevices and cross braces.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front elevation of a columnar devicebroken down to illustrate mounting of the freely pivoting engagementring.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view taken through lines 5-5 of FIG. 3illustrating the assembly of the quick release pin which is used toattach the cross braces to the columnar devices.

Referring now the drawings, the modular shipping and storage devicecomprises a columnar support member with a foot member 12 which may becovered with any suitable vibration absorbing material 14. At the top ofthe columnar member 10 is a downwardly slanting ramp l6 beneath which isa second foot member 18. On the sides of the columnar supporting devices10 and beneath the top foot member 18 are a pair of laterally spaced earmembers 20. In a plane with these ear members 20 near the base of thecolumnar device 10 are a second pair of laterally spaced ear members 22.The top ear member 20 generally supports a hinged cross brace 24'storage area.

used to join these modular columnar devices into a supporting structuresuch as shown in FIG. 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hinge means 26for the cross brace comprises quick disconnect-type engagement pins 28for quick and easy removal so that the cross brace may be changed from arightto left-handed device as the storage situation warrants. Longercross braces can also be used to increase centerline distance betweencolumnar devices. Likewise, similar quick disconnect-type engagementpins 30 are provided for joining the cross brace 24 to the bottom of aneighboring columnar device. A storage position hole 32 is provided ineach cross' brace 24 and when stored in quick disconnect-type engagementpins 30 are utilized to secure these crossmembers 24 to the lower earmembers 22 of the individual columnar device as shown in FIG. 4.

At the top outer side of each columnar supporting device a free pivotingengagement ring 34 has been provided and is used to tie down the unitsduring shipping or storage and also used as lift points when it becomesnecessary to lift the stored OPERATION OF THE INVENTION When it becomesnecessary to store or ship units the bottom foot 12 of each columnarsupporting device is placed under the bottom unit to be supported. Thequick disconnect-type engagement pins 30 are removed and the crossbraces24 are joined to the ear members 22 of the adjacent columnar device toprovide lateral support.

Next, a second unit to be stored is lifted above the first and contactsthe slantin ramp 16 of the columnar supporting device and IS allowe toslide down onto the top foot member When storage of these units is nolonger necessary these modular shipping and storage devices may bedisassembled and stacked or laid aside for future use and require lessspace than conventional devices for handling cargo such as the usualpallets, gondolas and the like.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out thepresent invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of theappended claims, they are to be considered as part of the invention.

Iclaim: l. A modular shipping and storage device comprising: verticalcolumnar devices with a top end and a bottom end having a foot member atthe bottom end to support a stored load;

a downwardly sloping ramp at the top of said columnar device;

s second foot member below said downwardly sloping ramp to support asecond stored load;

a plurality of ear members laterally spaced from said foot members oneach side of said vertical columnar devices;

at least one cross brace member attached to said laterally spaced earmembers;

means for attaching said cross brace member to a second columnar device;and

means for attaching a cross brace member from said second columnardevice to the first vertical columnar device to provide for the lateralsupport between said vertical columnar devices.

2. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein saiddownwardly sloping ramp comprises and is integral with the top end ofsaid columnar devices.

3. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 having a freepivoting engagement ring afiixed opposite said second foot member toprovide means for securing said columnar devices and means for hoistingsaid columnar devices.

4. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein saidbottom and foot member is provided with a vibration absorbing material.

5. The modular'shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said meansfor attaching said cross brace members comprises quicltdisconnect-typeengagement pins.

6. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said earmembers are provided with a plurality of holes for adjustment of saidcross brace members between said vertical columnar devices.

1. A modular shipping and storage device comprising: vertical columnardevices with a top end and a bottom end having a foot member at thebottom end to support a stored load; a downwardly sloping ramp at thetop of said columnar device; s second foot member below said downwardlysloping ramp to support a second stored load; a plurality of ear memberslaterally spaced from said foot members on each side of said verticalcolumnar devices; at least one cross brace member attached to saidlaterally spaced ear members; means for attaching said cross bracemember to a second columnar device; and means for attaching a crossbrace member from said second columnar device to the first verticalcolumnar device to provide for the lateral support between said verticalcolumnar devices.
 2. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1wherein said downwardly sloping ramp comprises and is integral with thetop end of said columnar devices.
 3. The modular shipping and storagedevice of claim 1 having a free pivoting engagement ring affixedopposite said second foot member to provide means for securing saidcolumnar devices and means for hoisting said columnar devices.
 4. Themodular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said bottom endfoot member is provided with a vibration absorbing material.
 5. Themodular shipping and storage device of claim 1 wherein said means forattaching said cross brace members comprises quick disconnect-typeengagement pins.
 6. The modular shipping and storage device of claim 1wherein said ear members are provided with a plurality of holes foradjustment of said cross brace members between said vertical columnardevices.